Truck box cover

ABSTRACT

A truck box cover including two pairs of panels, each of which pairs has an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel is hingedly secured to the side wall of the truck box. The inner panel is hingedly secured to the outer panel. The cover can be folded from a position wherein the panels enclose the top of the box, to a position, wherein the panels of each pair are overlaying each other and are positioned outside their respective side wall, parallel to same. A six-panel embodiment is also disclosed. The cover is also provided with a foldable bulkhead.

United States Patent [1 1 Boismier 1 Oct. 30, 1973 I TRUCK BOX COVER[76] Inventor: Albert George Joseph Boismier,

Windsor, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Dec. 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No.:211,404

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 19, 1971 Canada 128078 [52]US. Cl. 296/137 B [51] Int. Cl B60j 7/10 [58] Field of Search 296/100,137 B, 26, 296/23 C; 160/14, 118, 206

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 335,718 2/1886 Price 296/100X 3,378,058 4/1968 Mattyas 160/118 3,069,199 12/1962 Reardon 296/1003,445,134 5/1969 Pair 296/27 2,043,858 6/1936 Moore 296/100 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 207,524 7/1924 Great Britain 296/14 PrimaryExaminerRobert R. Song Att0meyJohn W. Malley et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A truck box cover including two pairs of panels, each ofwhich pairs has an outer panel and an inner panel.

The outer panel is hingedly secured to the side wall of the truck box.The inner panel is hingedly secured to the outer panel. The cover can befolded from a position wherein the panels enclose the top of the box, toa position, wherein the panels of each pair are overlaying eachother andare positioned outside their respective side wall, parallel to same. Asix-panel embodiment is also disclosed. The cover is also provided witha foldable bulkhead.

10 Claims, 33 Drawing Figures Patented Qct. 30, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 1FIGZ Patented 08. 30, 1973- 3,768,858

10 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 5E FIG. 5F

2 7 "i E H Patented Oct. 30, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 FlGbA FIGYA Patented0a. 30,1973 I 3,768,858

10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 30,1973 3,768,858

10 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIGJOA Patented Oct. 30, 1913 3,768,858

10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Oct. 30, 1973 3,768,858

10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Fll 1 66 FIGJ 7A TRUCK BOX COVER This inventionrelates to a truck box cover, particu larly to a pick-up truck boxcover.

In the art of pick-up bodies for light truck, it is frequently requiredby owners to have a cover on the truck box to protect the items carriedon the truck from i the weather or from pilferage etc.

Various types of truck box covers are in use nowadays which, for onereason or another, do not meet all the requirements of the users ofpick-ups. The covers are usually comparatively expensive to manufacture.Most of the known covers are designed for a single purpose of merelycovering the truck box and usually cannot be utilized in various otherdesirable functions, e.g. increasing the loading capacity of the boxetc.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a comparativelyinexpensive truck box cover by means of which the truck box can beclosed and locked, the cover being capable to completely fold away or tobe used for other purposes, such as load binder.

The truck box cover according to the present invention includes at leasttwo pairs of panels, each pair of panels comprising an outer panel andan inner panel, a first hinge and a second hinge. The outer panel ofeach of the pairs of the panels is adapted to be hingedly secured inproximity to the upper edge of a side wall of said box by the firsthinge, while the inner panel is hingedly secured to the outer panel bythe second hinge. The hinges are spaced apart and substantially parallelto each other and to the upper edge of the side wall. The first hinge isof the type allowingfor pivotal movement of said outer panel from aposition in which the outer panel covers a portion of the box, to asubstantially vertical position outside of the box. The second hinge isof a type allowing for pivotal movement of the inner panel from asubstantially coplanar position with regard to said outer panel to asubstantially parallel overlaying position with regard to the outerpanel.

The invention will now be described by way of examples with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a simplified perspective view of the cover as used in apick-up truck, showing the cover in its closed position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that in FIG. 1, showing the cover in a stagewherein the box is being uncovered;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the steps of folding the cover subsequent to theposition as in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5 are sketches of examples of various positions in which the coverpanels can be fixed;

FIGS. 6 show the detail of a locking flap in a perspective view (FIG.6a) and in section (FIG. 6b);

FIG. 7 shows one example of means for holding the cover in a closedposition, both in a perspective (FIG. 7a) and in a section (FIG. 7b)view;

FIG. 8 is a more detailed perspective view of the right hand rearportion of the truck as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a detail similar to that of FIG. 8, but showing the truck asin FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a pick-up truck withasix-panel version of the invention, with the panels in a foldedposition;

FIG. 10a is a top plan view of a corner of the box, showing anotherembodiment of the version as shown in FIG. 10;

FIGS. II, l2, 13, I4 and 15 show the sequence of erecting the coverversion as in FIG. I0;

FIG. 16 is a schematic detail showing one embodiment of mutualarrangement of the hinges used in one pair of panels and included in thesix-panel version as shown in FIG. 10;

FIGS. 17 show, in perspective views, examples of means for fixing themutual position of two adjacent panels at 180 (FIG. 17a) (FIG. 17b) and90 (FIG. 17c) angles;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a detail showing an example ofunfolding the six-panel version;

FIG. 19 is a rear view of an example of a bulkhead for the six-panelversion with the bulkhead shown in unfolded stage;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the bulkhead as mounted on a pick-up truckshowing the bulkhead in a folded position;

FIG. 21 is a view similar to that of FIG. 20, showing the way ofunfolding the bulkhead; and

FIG. 22 is a detailed rear view of still another embodiment of theinvention including a side wall provided with a recess for the coverpanels.

Turning now to the above drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4, theinvention is shown as used in a pickup truck 1. The cover comprises fourpanels 2, 3, 4, 5 or two pairs of panels, 2, 3 and 4, 5. Each of thepairs of panels comprises an outer panel and an inner panel. Thus, thepair of panels 2, 3 has an outer panel 2 and an inner panel 3, andsimilarly the other pair of panels has an outer panel 5 and an innerpanel 4. 4

Reference will now be made to one pair of panels 2,

3 only, it being understood that the second pair generally correspondsto the disclosure of the pair of panels 2, 3.

The outer panel 2 is provided with a first hinge 6 (FIGS. 8, 9). Thefirst hinge 6 can be mounted on the top edge of a side wall 7 of thepick-up box 9. In other words, the outer panel 2 is adapted to behingedly secured in proximity to the upper edge of the side wall 7 bythe first hinge 6.

Fixed to the other side of the outer panel 2 is a second hinge 8,hingedly securing the inner-panel 3 to the outer panel 2. l

The hinges 6, 8 are spaced apart and substantially parallel to eachother and to the upper edge of the side wall 7.

It will be appreciated by comparing FIGS. 8 and 9, that the first hinge6 is of the type allowing for pivotal, movement of the outer panel 2from a position shown in FIG. 8, in which the panel 2 covers a portionof the box to a position shown in FIG. 9, wherein the panel 2 is in asubstantially vertical position outside of the box 9. In other words,the first hinge 6 makes it possible to turn the panel 6 about an angleof approximately 270.

The second hinge 8 is of the type allowing for pivotal movement of theinner panel 3 from a substantially coplanar position with regards to theouter panel 2 (shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8), to a substantially paralleloverlaying position with regard to the outer panel 2, as shown in FIGS.3, 4 or 9. Generally, the second hinge 8 allows for pivotal movement ofthe inner panel 3 about approximately 180.

The cover according to the invention can be provided with means forselectively fixing the position of the inner panel 3 with regard to theouter panel at a predetermined angle as measured at the second hinge 8.Various devices can be used for this purpose, from among which at leasttwo are shown in the drawings, thus, FIG. 9 shows a book 10 which fixesthe mutual position of the panels 2, 3 at an angle of substantiallydegrees. FIGS. 17a, 17b and 17c show examples of fittings which can alsobe fixed over end edges of adjacent panels. The Fittings are, generally,channel members. Each of the fittings has a bottom wall 11 and two sidewalls 12, 13. The inner distance between the side walls 12, 13corresponds to the thickness of-the cover panels. The side walls 12, 13can be provided with tapped holes 14 for bolts (not shown) fixing thefitting on the panels. Thus, if the fittings shown in FIG. 17a isengaged with the front and rear ends of the panels 2, 3 with the hinge 8substantially in the middle of the fitting and perpendicular to thebottom wall 11, the two panels are prevented from relative turning aboutthe hinge 8, in other words, they are fixed at an angle of 180, asshown, e.g., in FIG. e or 5g. The fitting of FIG. 17b will fix the angleof approximately 140 degrees, while that shown in FIG. 170 is designedto fix panels 2 and 3 at a 90 angle (FIG. 5d). Apparently, the fittingcan be modified to suit any predetermined mutual position between thetwo adjacent panels, the angles of 0, 90 and 180 being most desirable.

The cover according to the invention can further be provided with meansfor selectively fixing mutual positions of the outer panel 2 with regardto the side wall 7 of the pick-up box 9. Such means are well known perse and therefore need not be shown in the drawings. For example, theycan have the configuration of angular brackets attachable to the sidewall 7 to support the panel 2 in a predetermined position. Anotherembodiment may utilize supporting props, indicated in broken lines 13 inFIG. 5f. The angle between the panel 2 and the side wall 7 may beselected according to practical needs. Thus, FIGS. 5b and 5e showembodiments wherein the angle is 180, whereby the outer panel 2 ispositioned substantially upright and prallel to the side wall 7. In FIG.5f the angle is 90 whereby the outer panel 2 is substantially horizontaland extends outside the box 9 along the upper edge of the side wall 7. A0 angle is shown in FIG. 53, wherein the panel 2 is substantiallyvertical, parallel to the side wall 7 and located outside the box 9. Itwill be appreciated that the above embodiments show only few of numerouspossibilities of mutual arrangements of the panels. 1

It may be desirable to lock the cover in a position shown in FIG. 1wherein the panels 2, 3, 4, 5 cover the top of the box 9. One example oflocking means for this purpose is shown in FIGS. 60 and 6b and inFIG. 1. It consists of a base plate 15 extending along the top of afront end wall of the box 9. Fixed to the base plate 15 is a hinge plate16 on the edge of which is mounted one side of a hinge 17 the other sideof same being fixed to a flap plate 18. Fixed to the base plate 15 is aneye 19 arranged to pass through a slot 20 in the flap plate 18, when theplate 18 is turned to a horizontal position shown in FIG. 6b, whereinthe end of the flap plate 18 covers front ends of the panels 2,3, 4, 5(the panel 2 being shown in FIG. 6b, but not in FIG. 6a). .The eye 19can be provided with a padlock 21 to prevent an unauthorized opening ofthe flap plate 18. In general terms, the above locking means include aplate hingedly secured at the upper edge of an end wall of the box 9,said plate 18 being adapted to be locked in a substantially horizontalposition, whereby the plate overlaps end portions of the panels 2, 3, 4,5.

The opposite end portions of the cover can be provided with a hold-downangular plate 22 (FIG. 7a) with slots 23 receiving turnable wing heads24 mounted on studs 25 embedded in the base plate 15, fixedly supportedby the end wall 27 of the box 9.

The side wall 7 of the box 9 can be provided. with a horizontal ledgerecess 28 for receiving the panels 2, 3, when they are in a foldedposition. The recess is shown in FIG. 22. The depth D preferablycorresponds to at least the sum of thicknesses of the panels 2, 3 toaccommodate same.

FIGS. 10 to 16 show still another embodiment of the present invention,wherein the outer panel is hingedly secured to a side panel, slidablysecured to the side wall of the truck box. As seen in FIGS. 16 and 18,this embodiment includes the outer panel 2, 1 side of which is hingedlyconnected to the inner panel 3 by the I80 hinge 8. The other side of theouter panel 2 is hingedly secured to a side panel 43, by means of the270 hinge 6.

As seen from FIG. 103., the side panel 43 is received in a holder 45,which is fixed to the side wall 7. The holder 45 defines an uprightslide channel, the width of which provides for slidably receiving theside panel 43 (FIG. 10a), or in a modified embodiment, all three panels3,2, 4,5 (FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13).

Fixed to the end edges of the side panel 43 are slide pins, 1 at eachend of the panel 43 each pin is received in a guide slot 47. The upperpart of the slot forms a horizontal portion whereby the upper end of theslot 47 can support the pin 46 and thus the panel 43 in an expandedposition, asshown for instance in FIG. 13, after the panel 43 has beenslid upwardly. In general terms, the side panel 43 is slidably securedto the side wall 7 for substantially vertical sliding movement from afolded position (FIG. 10) wherein the side panel 43 overlays the outersurface of said wall 7, to an expanded position (FIG. 14) etc. whereinthe lower edge of the side panel 43 is adjacent to the upper edge ofsaid side wall 7. The shape of .the upper portion of the slot 47constitutes one example means for fixing the side panel 43 in theexpanded position. The cover according to the latter embodiment can beused for instance in camping truck, wherein the side panel can beprovided with windows 48 (FIG. 14, 15).

The cover may also include a bulkhead. The example of the bulkhead 50shown in FIG. 19, 20, 21, is intended to be used in the six-panelversion as shown in FIG. 10, 11, etc., it being understood that a moreor less similar embodiment of the bulkhead can also be used in thepreviously disclosed four-panel version (FIG. 1). As can be observedfrom FIG. 19, 20 and 21 the foldable bulkhead 50 can be mounted on therear wall 51 of the truck cabin. Fixed to the rear wall 51 are fourbrackets 52. Pivotally connected to each of the brackets 52 is one endof a linkage 53, the opposite end of each linkage 53 being pivotallyconnected to a bracket 54, fixed to a lower panel 55. Hingedly securedto a lower panel 55 is an upper panel 56, by means of a hinge 57. Asseen in FIG. 19, the hinge 57 is arranged at the upper edge of the lowerpanel 55. FIG. 21 shows that the panels 55, 56 are substantiallycoplanar, vertical and perpendicular to the side wall 7, when thebulkhead 50 is in an unfolded or expanded position.

It is of advantage to provide at leastthe upper panel 56 with aperimeter frame 58. The perimeter of the expanded bulkhead 50 hassubstantially the shape of the cross-section of an expanded assembly ofthe panels 43, 2, 3 4, 5, shown in FIG. 15.

The above mentioned linkages 53 constitute one example of means forselectively shifting the position of the lower panel 55 in asubstantially horizontal direction E (FIG. 21).

Mounted on the rear wall 51 of the cabin are four studs 60 with turnablewing heads 61. The heads can pass through slots 62 in the panels 55, 56.As seen in FIG. 20, the heads 61 can hold the panels 55, 56 in a foldedposition, or, when turned to be parallel to the slots 62, they willallow unfolding of the bulkhead and its shifting in the direction E, tobring the bulkhead into engagement with the directed assembly of theside, outer and inner panels 43, 2, 3, 4, 5. The front ends of thepanels 43, 2, 3, 4, S can be provided with suitable slots or openings(not shown) for receiving bolts 63 to fit the bulkhead 50 with the restof the cover assembly, by means of wing nuts on the bolts 63.

The panels 55 and 56 of the bulkhead can be provided with transparentopenings 64 to clear the rear view window of the truck cabin.

The erection sequence of the six-panel version follows the succession ofFIG. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. First the bulkhead 50 is unfolded but notshifted off the cabin. Then the panels 43, 2, 3, 4, 5 are shiftedupwards (FIG. 12), arranged in an inclined position (FIG. 13) andunfolded (FIGS. 14, 15). Finallythe bulkhead 50 is shifted intoengagement with the panels 43, 2, 3, 4, 5 as indicated by arrows E inFIG. 15.

The advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10a is in that the panels2 and 3 can be used in the same manner as in the four-panel version,without the need for sliding the panel 43 upwards.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been shown,it will be apparent that it is possible to provide still furthermodifications. Thus, the proportion of various parts can be modified toa great extent. For instance, the proportions of the two panels 55, 56can be changed to suit particular needs and to differ rathersubstantially from the embodiments shown in the drawings. One usefulembodiment has been tested wherein the roof of the truck cabin is 22inches above the top edge of the truck box, the lower panel 55 beinginches high and the upper panel 56 being also ap-. proximately 20 incheshigh. The transparent openings 64 of this particular embodimentcorrespond to each other.

However, these and many other modifications do not depart from the scopeof the present invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a truck box defined by a bottom wall of generallyrectangular configuration, a pair of generally parallel side walls andend walls extending between corresponding ends of the side walls, saidside walls and end walls extending above the bottom wall and terminatingin upper edges disposed in a generally horizontally extending plane anda cover assembly for selectively closing said truck box and providingopen access thereto, the improvement in combination therewith whichcomprises said cover assembly including:

a plurality of generally planar cover panels of a size and shapesufficient to cover the truck box along the upper edges of the side andend walls thereof when said panels are disposed in a box closingposition wherein the panels extend in a horizontal plane generallycoincident with the aforesaid horizontal plane of the upper edges ofsaid side and end walls and are disposed in generally side-by-siderelation with respect to each other in an arrangement which includes anouter panel adjacent each side wall of the box and an inner panelinwardly of each outer panel.

means operatively connected with each outer panel for mounting saidouter panel for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis adjacent to andgenerally parallel with the upper edge of the associated side wall fromsaid box closing position through an arc of the order of 270 into a boxaccess position wherein said outer 'panel is disposed generallyvertically downwardly from the pivotal axis thereof in generallyparallel relation to the exterior of the associated side wall,

means operatively connected between each outer panel and the associatedinner panel mounting the inner panel for pivotal movement with respectto the associated outer panel and for movement with the associated outerpanel from said box closing position to a box access position whereinsaid inner panel is disposed in generally vertically coextensiveparallel relation with the associated outer panel outwardly thereof, and

means for retaining each inner panel in said box access position inrelation to the associated outer panel.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each outer panelmounting means comprises a first hinge element fixed adjacent the upperedge of the associated side wall and extending horizontally outwardlythereof, a second hinge element fixed to the outer edge portion of theassociated outer panel and a pivot pin hingedly interconnecting saidfirst and second hinge elements.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein each inner panelmounting means comprises a third hinge element fixed to the inner edgeportion of the associated outer panel, a fourth hinge element fixed tothe outer edge portion of the inner panel and a second pivot pinhingedly interconnecting said third and fourth hinge elements.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each inner panelmounting means comprises a first hinge element fixed to the inner edgeportion of the associated outer panel, a second hinge element fixed tothe outer edge portion of the inner panel and a pivot pin hingedlyinterconnecting said first and second hinge elements.

5. The combination as defined in claim 1, further including lockingmeans for locking said panels in said box closing position.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein said locking meansincludes a plate hingedly secured at the upper edge of the front endwall of said box, said plate being adapted to be locked in asubstantailly horizontal position in overlapping relation with theforward end portions of said panels.

7. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each outer panelmounting means comprises a first hinge element fixed to the outer edgeportion of the outer panel, a third panel of a size and shape similar toaxis of said pivot pin into an operative position in which all of thepanels can extend in canopy fashion over said truck box.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7, further including a foldablefront bulkhead mounted adjacent the front end wall of said box, saidbulkhead including an upper panel and a lower panel hingedly connectedto each other at the upper substantially horizontal edge of said lowerpanel for pivotal movement of said upper panel into an unfolded positioni in which the lower panel and the upper panel are substantiallycoplanar, vertical and perpendicular to the side walls of said box.

9. The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein at least a part of theperimeter of the bulkhead is defined by a frame, said perimeter havingsubstantially the shape of the cross-section of said cover panels whendisposed in canopy fashion over said truck box.

10. Thecombination as defined in claim 8 wherein said lower panel isprovided with means for selectively shifting the position of said lowerpanel in a substantially horizontal direction whereby the bulkhead canbe first unfolded and then shifted by said shifting means into anengagement with the front portions of the cover panels to support saidcover panels in their operative position in canopy fashion, at least apart of the perimeter of the unfolded bulkhead corresponding to thecross-section of the cover panels when disposed in said operativeposition in canopy fashion.

1. In combination, a truck box defined by a bottom wall of generallyrectangular configuration, a pair of generally parallel side walls andend walls extending between corresponding ends of the side walls, saidside walls and end walls extending above the bottom wall and terminatingin upper edges disposed in a generally horizontally extending plane anda cover assembly for selectively closing said truck box and providingopen access thereto, the improvement in combination therewith whichcomprises said cover assembly including: a plurality of generally planarcover panels of a size and shape sufficient to cover the truck box alongthe upper edges of the side and end walls thereof when said panels aredisposed in a box closing position wherein the panels extend in ahorizontal plane generally coincident with the aforesaid horizontalplane of the upper edges of said side and end walls and are disposed ingenerally side-by-side relation with respect to each other in anarrangement which includes an outer panel adjacent each side wall of thebox and an inner panel inwardly of each outer panel, means operativelyconnected with each outer panel for mounting said outer panel forpivotal movement about a horizontal axis adjacent to and generallyparallel with the upper edge of the associated side wall from said boxclosing position through an arc of the order of 270* into a box accessposition wherein said outer panel is disposed generally verticallydownwardly from the pivotal axis thereof in generally parallel relationto the exterior of the associated side wall, means operatively connectedbetween each outer panel and the associated inner panel mounting theinner panel for pivotal movement with respect to the associated outerpanel and for movement with the associated outer panel from said boxclosing position to a box access position wherein said inner panel isdisposed in generally vertically coextensive parallel relation with theassociated outer panel outwardly thereof, and means for retaining eachinner panel in said box access position in relation to the associatedouter panel.
 2. The cOmbination as defined in claim 1 wherein each outerpanel mounting means comprises a first hinge element fixed adjacent theupper edge of the associated side wall and extending horizontallyoutwardly thereof, a second hinge element fixed to the outer edgeportion of the associated outer panel and a pivot pin hingedlyinterconnecting said first and second hinge elements.
 3. The combinationas defined in claim 2 wherein each inner panel mounting means comprisesa third hinge element fixed to the inner edge portion of the associatedouter panel, a fourth hinge element fixed to the outer edge portion ofthe inner panel and a second pivot pin hingedly interconnecting saidthird and fourth hinge elements.
 4. The combination as defined in claim1 wherein each inner panel mounting means comprises a first hingeelement fixed to the inner edge portion of the associated outer panel, asecond hinge element fixed to the outer edge portion of the inner paneland a pivot pin hingedly interconnecting said first and second hingeelements.
 5. The combination as defined in claim 1, further includinglocking means for locking said panels in said box closing position. 6.The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein said locking meansincludes a plate hingedly secured at the upper edge of the front endwall of said box, said plate being adapted to be locked in asubstantially horizontal position in overlapping relation with theforward end portions of said panels.
 7. The combination as defined inclaim 1 wherein each outer panel mounting means comprises a first hingeelement fixed to the outer edge portion of the outer panel, a thirdpanel of a size and shape similar to said outer panel having a secondhinge element on one edge portion thereof, a pivot pin hingedlyinterconnecting said first and second hinge elements and means mountingsaid third panel on said side wall (1) for vertical movement withrespect thereto between an upper vertically extending position and lowervertically extending position wherein said pivot pin is coincident withthe aforesaid axis of pivotal movement of the outer panel and (2) forpivotal movement with respect to said side wall from said upper positionarcuately inwardly about an axis disposed parallel with the pivotal axisof said pivot pin into an operative position in which all of the panelscan extend in canopy fashion over said truck box.
 8. The combination asdefined in claim 7, further including a foldable front bulkhead mountedadjacent the front end wall of said box, said bulkhead including anupper panel and a lower panel hingedly connected to each other at theupper substantially horizontal edge of said lower panel for pivotalmovement of said upper panel into an unfolded position in which thelower panel and the upper panel are substantially coplanar, vertical andperpendicular to the side walls of said box.
 9. The combination asdefined in claim 8 wherein at least a part of the perimeter of thebulkhead is defined by a frame, said perimeter having substantially theshape of the cross-section of said cover panels when disposed in canopyfashion over said truck box.
 10. The combination as defined in claim 8wherein said lower panel is provided with means for selectively shiftingthe position of said lower panel in a substantially horizontal directionwhereby the bulkhead can be first unfolded and then shifted by saidshifting means into an engagement with the front portions of the coverpanels to support said cover panels in their operative position incanopy fashion, at least a part of the perimeter of the unfoldedbulkhead corresponding to the cross-section of the cover panels whendisposed in said operative position in canopy fashion.